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Think spring  "The praises and petitions of our lives rise and fall with the tides of 'good' news and 'bad' news. How do we anchor the highs and purge the lows in order to find a steadiness of gratitude in our lives? Join other women to explore the spiritual discipline of grateful living."
- from Women in Conversation: Living a Life of Gratitude retreat brochure; photos by Norah Wolthuis
Register now for Women in Conversation April retreats!
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Women in Conversation retreats coming!
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center April 9-11, 2010 and
Crosswind Retreat Center in Hesston, Kansas April 30-May 2, 2010
Each retreat features keynote speaker Megan Ramer of Chicago IL. Laurelville worship leaders are Jen Helmuth Shenk and Kristin Graber Kauffman of Elkhart IN, Crosswind worship leader is Treva Greaser of  Wichita, Kansas. Wonderful "Menno Spa's" are being planned as well as a theme "Gratitude Dinner." These women's retreats are an opportunity to focus on your spiritual journey - body, mind, soul and spirit. Women of all ages and walks of life are invited for a time of conversation, worship, laughter, prayer and renewal.
 Register by March 1 to receive early discount; visit Laurelville or call 800.839.1021
(A limited number of scholarships are available; requests will be processed after March 1, with priority given to young women and women of color.)
Women in Conversation retreats are co-sponsored by Mennonite Women USA and Laurelville. Questions? Call or e-mail Berni at 316-281-4396.
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Women in Conversation Retreat workshops
 Grateful for our Sexuality? By Brenda Martin Hurst (pictured left) (Laurelville)
Grateful Rhythms: From Menarche to Menopause by Rachel Eash-Scott MD (Laurelville)
Walking in the Sunshine when Facing Breast Cancer by Sondra Leatherman (Crosswind)
Writing's Gift:The Attitude of Gratitude by Raylene Hinz-Penner (pictured right) (Crosswind)
Humor as a Spiritual Discipline (and that's no joke!) by Sue Conrad (Laurelville)
 Letting Ourselves BE Found by Karen Andres (Crosswind)
Living More with Less-My Story by Elaine W. Good (Laurelville)
Gratitude Expressed in Contentment by Sandra Montes-Martinez, to be held in Spanish (Crosswind)
Beginner's Guide to Country Line Dancing by Jean Kilheffer Hess and Donna Mast (pictured left) (Laurelville) |
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Women's Prophetic Voice
 Be sure to read the January/February issue of timbrel which focuses on Women's Prophetic Voice. Sarah Thompson shares her experiences with prophetic women's voices in Ghana, while Joanna Shenk shares information about the Mennonite Church USA Women in Leadership Audit she is conducting and which developed as an outgrowth of the vision-setting retreat of Mennonite Women USA in the Spring of 2009. Rebekah Wingert, Danetta Fisher, and Margaret Sawatsky share their perspectives in "Three Windows Three Women," while MW USA board member, Gail Shetler shares her view on the importance of Women's Prophetic Voice in "Grapevine." New columnist, Heidi Martin, introduces herself and reviews Monk Kidd's book, Firstlight, in her column, "Stirrings."
If you are wondering what to give as a gift to a woman who seems to have everything she needs, consider giving a subscription to timbrel! The ability of MW USA to continue to publish timbrel depends on subscribers. Thank you for purchasing subscriptions and sharing the magazine with those who know little about Mennonite women. To subscribe or renew your subscription or purchase a gift subscription, go to our website.
In preparation for the March/April issue of timbrel, which will focus on Loneliness in Community, consider:
When have you felt lonely in your community and what has helped to change that situation?
Send responses to Patty by February 1.
To subscribe to timbrel, send $15 for one year or $13 per person for a group of 10 or more to Mennonite Women USA, 722 N Main St., Newton, KS 67114. You can also e-mail or call 800-794-5101, ext. 227. We'll start your subscription and send you a bill.
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Honoring and Remembering
Mennonite Women USA invites persons to share financially to support this ministry. Individuals are invited to give in honor of, or in remembrance of, a significant woman in their lives. We recognize that each gift honors or remembers a relationship.
Gifts given by:
Ann Hershberger in memory of Karen Graber.
Jan Landes in memory of Emma Alderfer Landis.
Dorothy Yoder Nyce in memory of Bessie King Yoder.
Betsy Headrick McCrae in memory of Clara Esch Headrick.
Barbara Kaufman in memory of Gertie Claassen.
Kathleen Rhodes in memory of Martha Widrick Zehr.
Gifts given by:
Catherine Kurtz in honor of Emma Diane Daniels.
Jen Carter in honor of Kathy Shelly.
Sonya Stauffer Kurtz in honor of Kathy Shelly.
Barbel Goertz in honor of Hazel Baer-Metzler.
Tina Block Ediger in honor of J. Martha Epp. |
Give to Mennonite Women USA
 Your gifts make Mennonite Women USA's ministry possible. You can contribute to Mennonite Women through online giving. Or send a gift by regular mail to: Mennonite Women USA, 722 N. Main St., Newton, KS 67114. Gifts are tax deductible. You can also make a pledge on our website.
Every gift make a difference. Thank you for your support.
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Resource from MCC Women's Advocacy Created Equal: Women and Men in the Image of God - This 36 page booklet provides a biblical understanding of equality between women and men. It responds to frequently asked questions such as how to understand creation, the fall and some of Paul's writings. It also includes questions for further reflection and discussion, and a list of additional resources.
For more information contact Linda Gehman Peachey, Women's Advocacy Program, MCC U.S. Peace and Justice Ministries, Box 500, 21 S. 12th St. Akron, PA 17501-0500; 717-859-1151 or 888-563-4676 x 370; http://abuse.mcc.org; http://us.mcc.org/programs/women
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The Kitchen Table
January 2010
by Lorraine Eby, Franklin Conference Sister-Care Coordinator
"I was about age five, attending a special weekend meeting with my parents and the church was packed with extra chairs in the aisles. When the children were called to the front for story time, the only seating space was on the steps of the platform.
"The lesson for the children's time was obedience. The guest preacher quoted the first part of Ephesians 6:1, "Children obey your parents..." and asked if anyone could finish the verse. I boldly raised my hand, confident I knew the correct answer, and belted out, "for this is right and good in the sight of the Lord." There was complete silence for a moment and then the audience broke into laughter at the little girl who misquoted the scripture. I was mortified..."
Read the entire article. "The Kitchen Table" is published in The Burning Bush, Franklin Conference Newsletter.
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United Nations Millennium Goals (many are focused on women's needs)
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Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
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Ensure that all boys and girls complete primary school
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Promote gender equality and empower women
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Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five
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Reduce by three quarters the ratio of women dying in childbirth
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Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and incidence of malaria and other major diseases
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Ensure environmental sustainability
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Develop a global partnership for development Millennium Campaign
Remember January 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
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A Blessing for the New Year
By Pastor Maria Crockett/ House of Power Mennonite Church, Elkhart, Indiana
Father, as we prepare our hearts and minds,
may you help us lay aside any pain and struggles life has brought us,
and open our hearts to your love.
As we focus on the new year,
we thank you for the life you have given us.
We thank you for the Blessing of Hope-
for Promise that allows us to live in expectation of eternal life.
We thank you for the Blessing of Purpose-
that allows us to remain focused toward eternal life.
We thank you for the blessing of Perseverance-
that allows us to remain faithful so that we can experience eternal life.
We thank you for the blessing of Prosperity-
that allows us to reap the harvest of the abundant life through Jesus Christ.
We thank you, In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen |
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A Postcard & a Prayer is compiled by Mennonite Women USA staff Rhoda Keener, Patricia Burdette, Berni Kaufman, and Lois Loflin. |
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Know of others who would like to receive "A Postcard & a Prayer" e-mails from Mennonite Women USA? Have them send name, address, and e-mail Berni. | |
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